For the optimized design of hydrodynamic or fluid couplings an adequate understanding of the flow field in such devices is necessary. In a hydrodynamic coupling, torque is transmitted by fluid circulation due to a speed differential between the rotating pump impeller and a matching turbine runner. Detailed studies of the unsteady 3D flow and torque transmission in fluid couplings are reported here. A finite-volume method with non-staggered variable arrangement is used to solve the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations on boundary-fitted grids and for a rotating frame of reference. The results give further insights into the physical process of torque transmission and allow important conclusions for the design of hydrodynamic couplings.
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