Fluid friction clutch

Abstract

The invention relates to a damming arrangement for controlling the return flow of clutch fluid in a fluid friction clutch of the type having a rotatable driving disk disposed to rotate in a work space of a relatively rotatable housing. The work space is separated by an intermediate disk fixed to the housing and a pair of clutch fluid return bores are provided at the periphery of the intermediate disk diametrically opposite one another. To optimize the guidance of the return flow of clutch fluid from the working space to the storage space, damming bodies are disposed adjacent the return bores, which damming bodies include a first guide surface portion extending radially inwardly of the return bores in a diagonal direction corresponding to the rotational direction of the driving disk and a second guide surface portion radially outwardly of the return bore extending diagonally outwardly and opposite of the rotational direction of the driving disk. A connecting guide surface section of the damming body is disposed adjacent the return bore and concentric thereto with a half circular shape open in a direction facing the rotational direction of the driving disk. The damming bodies are supported at the intermediate wall of the clutch housing and protrude inwardly into an outwardly open groove on the driving disk.