Oilers/Plant Tenders (HHC) Civil Service Practice Exam

Which of the following describes the torque delivered by a fluid coupling in relation to the engine torque?

1. Greater than

2. Less than

3. The same as

4. Variable depending on speed

The correct answer is: The same as

The torque delivered by a fluid coupling is designed to be the same as the engine torque at a specific operating condition. A fluid coupling allows for the transmission of mechanical power from the engine to the drive components while permitting a certain degree of slip between the input and output. This means that it can effectively transfer engine torque to the driven components without producing significant speed differences at low or idle conditions. The primary function of the fluid coupling is to balance the torque delivered from the engine with the torque required for the driven load under stable operating conditions. While certain factors like speed and load can influence the performance characteristics of a fluid coupling, in a steady-state scenario, the output torque remains aligned with the engine torque. It’s important to note that while there may be moments of slip and variations during acceleration or deceleration, in a typical operational scenario, the delivered torque matches the engine torque for the purposes of effective and efficient power transfer. This is why the correct answer is that the torque delivered by a fluid coupling is the same as the engine torque under normal operating conditions.