Method for regulating the maximum speed of a working machine and associated hydrodynamic coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for regulating the maximum speed of a working machine ( 12 ), in particular an air compressor in a vehicle. Said working machine is driven by means of a motor ( 10 ), using a hydrodynamic coupling ( 11 ), which comprises a working chamber ( 3 ) that is partially or fully filled with a working medium for transmitting a torque from a drive side ( 11.1 ) equipped with an impeller ( 1 ) to a driven side ( 11.2 ) equipped with a turbine wheel ( 2 ). The method comprises the following steps: the speed of the working machine, of the driven side of the hydrodynamic coupling, of the drive side of the hydrodynamic coupling and/or of the motor is detected; a maximum permissible value for the speed is defined and compared to the detected speed; if the detected speed exceeds the maximum permissible value, the quantity of working medium in the working chamber of the hydrodynamic coupling is automatically reduced by the opening or passage of medium through an outlet that is connected to the working chamber.

1 . A process to regulate the maximum rotation speed of a working machine, specifically an air compressor in a vehicle, where working machine is powered by motor via hydrodynamic coupling, which contains a working space that is filled partially or fully with working medium to transfer torque from an input side with impeller to an output side with a turbine wheel, including the following steps:
 monitor the rotation speed of working machine, of output side of hydrodynamic coupling, of input side of hydrodynamic coupling and/or of the motor;   specify a maximum permissible value for the rotation speed and compare it to the monitored rotation speed;   reduce the amount of working medium in working space of hydrodynamic coupling automatically by opening or flowing through an outlet connected to working space, if the monitored rotation speed exceeds the maximum permissible value;   characterized by having   the reduction of the working medium in working space result from a shift of meridian flow of working medium in working space in a radial direction towards the exterior into a position in which port of outlet in working space, which is designed to remove working medium from working space, is in line or essentially in line with the tangential direction of meridian flow, such that the working medium exits from working spaced by direct flow into port, whereas meridian flow largely or completely flows across port at rotation speeds less than the maximum permitted value.   
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , characterized by having working machine, which is embodied as an air compressor in a vehicle, provide input to a compressed air system of the vehicle and by having working machine toggle between a working status, in which it is powered via the partly or fully filled working space of hydrodynamic coupling by motor, which can also power the vehicle and which is specifically embodied as an internal combustion engine, and a rest status, in which it is disconnected from the power of motor by the action of working space of hydrodynamic coupling that is completely empty or empty except for a specified remainder of working medium. 
   
   
       3 . A hydrodynamic coupling for use in a process as described in  claim 1 , where the coupling has the following characteristics:
 an impeller and a turbine wheel, which together form a toroidal working space;   working space can be filled with a working medium to transfer torque from impeller to turbine wheel;   the interior surface of working space contains a port of an outlet;   port is located in the second rising quadrant of impeller, viewed in an axial cross section of working space and in the direction of meridian flow in working space.   
   
   
       4 . The hydrodynamic coupling of  claim 3 , characterized by having a protuberance on the interior surface of working space in front of port, specifically directly adjacent to port, viewed in the direction of meridian flow. 
   
   
       5 . The hydrodynamic coupling of  claim 4 , characterized by having a ramp-like shape on protuberance, viewed in the direction of meridian flow. 
   
   
       6 . The hydrodynamic coupling of  claim 3 , characterized by having port on the radial circumference surface located between 120 and 150 degrees and specifically between 130 and 140 degrees, starting radially in the interior of working room in impeller. 
   
   
       7 . A hydrodynamic coupling for use in a process as described in one of  claim 2 , where the coupling has the following characteristics:
 an impeller and a turbine wheel, which together form a toroidal working space;   working space can be filled with a working medium to transfer torque from impeller to turbine wheel;   the interior surface of working space contains a port of an outlet;   port is located in the second rising quadrant of impeller, viewed in an axial cross section of working space and in the direction of meridian flow in working space.   
   
   
       8 . The hydrodynamic coupling of  claim 4 , characterized by having port on the radial circumference surface located between 120 and 150 degrees and specifically between 130 and 140 degrees, starting radially in the interior of working room in impeller. 
   
   
       9 . The hydrodynamic coupling of  claim 5 , characterized by having port on the radial circumference surface located between 120 and 150 degrees and specifically between 130 and 140 degrees, starting radially in the interior of working room in impeller.