A method for controlling a hydrodynamic machine, including the steps of: providing a hydrodynamic machine which includes a bladed primary wheel and a bladed secondary wheel, which together form a working chamber, which can be filled with a working medium from a working medium supply contained in a working medium reservoir, to transfer drive power hydrodynamically from the bladed primary wheel to the bladed secondary wheel by forming a working medium circuit in the working chamber; applying a control pressure to the working medium supply in order to force the working medium from the working medium supply into the working chamber; detecting, at least indirectly, a pressure increase in the working medium reservoir, when the control pressure is applied to the working medium supply; and determining, as a function of the pressure increase that has been detected, a fill level of the working medium supply in the working medium reservoir.

A method for controlling a hydrodynamic machine, including the steps of: providing a hydrodynamic machine which includes a bladed primary wheel and a bladed secondary wheel, which together form a working chamber, which can be filled with a working medium from a working medium supply contained in a working medium reservoir, to transfer drive power hydrodynamically from the bladed primary wheel to the bladed secondary wheel by forming a working medium circuit in the working chamber; applying a control pressure to the working medium supply in order to force the working medium from the working medium supply into the working chamber; detecting, at least indirectly, a pressure increase in the working medium reservoir, when the control pressure is applied to the working medium supply; and determining, as a function of the pressure increase that has been detected, a fill level of the working medium supply in the working medium reservoir.

A pump includes a housing, a process stream input, a process stream output, a power stream inlet, and a rotor. The rotor comprises an impeller, a shroud, and a turbine. The impeller comprises fluid motive elements positioned about a central axis of the rotor and extending outward to the shroud. The turbine comprises runners formed on an outwardly facing surface of the shroud of the rotor. The shroud extends radially about the fluid motive elements of the impeller. The rotor is rotatably supported within the housing. The runners cause the rotor to rotate when the power stream flows through a fluid path impinging the runners thereby transferring energy from the flow of the power stream received through a power stream inlet into rotational energy of the fluid motive elements of the impeller to propel the process stream from a process stream input out a process stream output.

A pump includes a housing, a process stream input, a process stream output, a power stream inlet, and a rotor. The rotor comprises an impeller, a shroud, and a turbine. The impeller comprises fluid motive elements positioned about a central axis of the rotor and extending outward to the shroud. The turbine comprises runners formed on an outwardly facing surface of the shroud of the rotor. The shroud extends radially about the fluid motive elements of the impeller. The rotor is rotatably supported within the housing. The runners cause the rotor to rotate when the power stream flows through a fluid path impinging the runners thereby transferring energy from the flow of the power stream received through a power stream inlet into rotational energy of the fluid motive elements of the impeller to propel the process stream from a process stream input out a process stream output.

The present invention discloses a fluid coupling and a coupling method for a continuous variable transmission. The fluid coupling comprises a pump having a first demi-torus body, and a turbine having a second demi-torus body. The first and second demi-torus body together forms a torus body. A first set of fluid directing blades radially disposed at the first demi-torus body. The first set of blades extends from a rim of the first demi-torus body and ends at a region proximate to a hub of the first demi-torus body. A second set of fluid directing blades radially disposed at the second demi-torus body. The second set of blades extends from a rim of the second demi-torus body and ends at a region proximate to a hub of the second demi-torus body. The fluid coupling device is configured to de-couple the negative coupling action and provide a continuously variable transmission.

The present invention discloses a fluid coupling and a coupling method for a continuous variable transmission. The fluid coupling comprises a pump having a first demi-torus body, and a turbine having a second demi-torus body. The first and second demi-torus body together forms a torus body. A first set of fluid directing blades radially disposed at the first demi-torus body. The first set of blades extends from a rim of the first demi-torus body and ends at a region proximate to a hub of the first demi-torus body. A second set of fluid directing blades radially disposed at the second demi-torus body. The second set of blades extends from a rim of the second demi-torus body and ends at a region proximate to a hub of the second demi-torus body. The fluid coupling device is configured to de-couple the negative coupling action and provide a continuously variable transmission.

A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; a pump including a pump shell connected to the cover, and pump blades; a turbine in fluid communication with the pump and including a turbine shell and turbine blades; a stator including stator blades disposed between the turbine and the pump; a pump hub non-rotatably connected to the pump shell and including a first planar surface facing radially outward with respect to an axis of rotation; and a resolver rotor non-rotatably connected to the pump hub and including a second planar surface in contact with the first planar surface and facing radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation. The pump hub includes a protrusion extending radially outward from the first planar surface and in contact with the resolver rotor. The resolver rotor is arranged to determine a rotational position of the torque converter around the axis of rotation.

A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; a pump including a pump shell connected to the cover, and pump blades; a turbine in fluid communication with the pump and including a turbine shell and turbine blades; a stator including stator blades disposed between the turbine and the pump; a pump hub non-rotatably connected to the pump shell and including a first planar surface facing radially outward with respect to an axis of rotation; and a resolver rotor non-rotatably connected to the pump hub and including a second planar surface in contact with the first planar surface and facing radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation. The pump hub includes a protrusion extending radially outward from the first planar surface and in contact with the resolver rotor. The resolver rotor is arranged to determine a rotational position of the torque converter around the axis of rotation.

A pump includes a housing, a process stream input, a process stream output, a power stream inlet, and a rotor. The rotor comprises an impeller, a shroud, and a turbine. The impeller comprises fluid motive elements positioned about a central axis of the rotor and extending outward to the shroud. The turbine comprises runners formed on an outwardly facing surface of the shroud of the rotor. The shroud extends radially about the fluid motive elements of the impeller. The rotor is rotatably supported within the housing. The runners cause the rotor to rotate when the power stream flows through a fluid path impinging the runners thereby transferring energy from the flow of the power stream received through a power stream inlet into rotational energy of the fluid motive elements of the impeller to propel the process stream from a process stream input out a process stream output.

A pump includes a housing, a process stream input, a process stream output, a power stream inlet, and a rotor. The rotor comprises an impeller, a shroud, and a turbine. The impeller comprises fluid motive elements positioned about a central axis of the rotor and extending outward to the shroud. The turbine comprises runners formed on an outwardly facing surface of the shroud of the rotor. The shroud extends radially about the fluid motive elements of the impeller. The rotor is rotatably supported within the housing. The runners cause the rotor to rotate when the power stream flows through a fluid path impinging the runners thereby transferring energy from the flow of the power stream received through a power stream inlet into rotational energy of the fluid motive elements of the impeller to propel the process stream from a process stream input out a process stream output.