Analysis of influencing factors on oil film shear torque of hydro-viscous drive

Abstract

Purpose The hydro-viscous drive (HVD) has been widely used in fan transmission in vehicles, fans, and scraper conveyors for step-less speed regulating and soft starting. It is an efficient method to save energy and reduce consumption. This study aims to analyze the influencing factors of oil film shear torque accurately. Design/methodology/approach The shear torque calculation model of double arc oil groove friction pairs was established. The influence of groove structure parameters on shear torque was analyzed. The interaction between viscosity temperature and shear torque was considered. Meanwhile, the equivalent radius was calculated when the rupture of oil film appeared. Finally, the test rig of torque characteristics was set up. The variance of shear torque with the input rotation speed under different oil film thickness, different oil temperature, and different flow rate was seen. Findings The results show that the shear torque increases with the growth of rotation speed. However, the increase of torque is quite gradual because of the effect of the change of viscosity, which is caused by the rise of temperature. The shear torque increases with the decrease of thickness, the increase of inlet flow rate, and the decrease of inlet oil temperature. Meanwhile, when the feeding flow rate is less than the theoretical, the oil film gets ruptured and the shear torque decreases sharply. Originality/value The influence on shear torque during full film shear stage in HVD can be achieved much more accurately through both experimental research and theoretical modeling in which groove parameters, influence of temperature, and oil film rupture are considered. Therefore, the shear torque of HVD can be predicted by theoretical model and experimental research in full film shear stage.