HYDRODYNAMIC

TRANSMISSION
 Introduction
• Hydrodynamic transmission deals with the power
transmission solely by the action of a kinetic fluid flow in
a closed recirculating path.
• These systems are commonly used in automatic and
semi-automatic transmissions.
• Fluid coupling and torque converters are the
hydrodynamic drive units most commonly used in
automobiles for automatic and semi-automatic
transmissions.
 FLUID COUPLING
• it is also called fluid flywheel.
• It is used to transmit the power from the engine to the
remaining parts of the transmission.
• It consists of a two half dough nut shaped shells
equipped with interior fins that radiates from the hubs.
• One shell is mounted on the crankshaft and is called
impeller or driving member.
• The other shell is mounted on the driven shaft and is
called runner or driven member.
 Advantages
1. Less skill and fatigue for the driver due to ease in use of
clutch and gears.
2. If the driver fails to declutch or shift to neutral before coming
to stop, the coupling will slip sufficiently to prevent stalling of
engine.
3. Unskilled clutch engagement or selection of improper gear
will not produce the chattering and bucking.
4. Sudden load is cushioned and absorbed by the coupling, so
that the dynamic stresses on the gear teeth of the
transmission and the live axle are greatly reduced.
5. As the moving parts with direct contact are not there, wear
is minimum
6. No need of any adjustments and frequent maintenance is
not essential (except checking oil level)
7. Vehicle can stop in gear and move off also by pressing
accelerator pedal only.
 Disadvantages

1. There is a drag on the gearbox shaft even when the

percentage slip is 100. This makes the gear changing
difficult with the ordinary gearboxes. Hence it is normally
used with only epicyclic gearbox, which avoids this
difficulty.
2. It is not efficient at low speeds as that of mechanical
clutches.
3. It reduces engine braking when slowing down.
4. Requires high speed to start the vehicle
5. Costlier than conventional clutches.
 TORQUE CONVERTER
• Fluid flywheel is used for the transmission of power,
whereas torque converters are used to transmit the
power with varied torque as per the requirement.
• In addition the driving member (impeller / pump) and
driven member (turbine), it consists of a reaction
member also (stator). It is generally welded to the cover
half during the manufacturing