A Comprehensive Study of Self-Induced Torque Amplification in Rotary Viscous Couplings

Rotary viscous couplings with interleaved, perforated plates and viscous fluids are used in automotive systems to transmit torque. During operation, viscous dissipation raises fluid temperature, lowers fluid viscosity and causes the torque transmitted to drop monotonically to unusable levels. Couplings designed with certain plate geometry exhibit a reversal of the torque trend with temperature, and transmit increasingly high torque even under continuous operation. Such couplings achieve torque amplification factors in excess of twenty, compared to earlier couplings. This torque amplification phenomenon has been utilized by industry without fully understanding the mechanisms involved. A comprehensive theory is proposed to explain the complex sequence of events that results in this “anomalous,” but useful phenomenon. Mathematical models are developed for each interdependent process. A visual simulation tool is used to model the intricate dynamics inside the coupling. Results from the simulation model are compared with experimental findings. The various thermodynamic, hydrodynamic, structural and mechanical processes are delineated and tested with a combination of theoretical analysis, computational simulation and experimental observations. The proposed theory identifies, defines and explains the conditions necessary for initiating and sustaining the self-induced torque amplification. The hypotheses are validated by the reasonable agreement of the model with the test results.