Eaton Corporation

Charles A Mains

Edward J Bojas

Lester R Campbell, Jr

Lawrence H Williams, Jr

A bypass element (27) for a torque converter (15) is provided in which the bypass element comprises a viscous coupling (29). The viscous coupling includes a housing assembly comprising a body member (35) and a cover member (37), defining a viscous chamber (39) therebetween. Disposed within the viscous chamber is a clutch assembly (41) including a clutch portion (61) and a hub portion (65). The body member includes a hub portion (47) on which are disposed bushings (85 and 87). The cover member includes a hub portion (59) on which is disposed a bushing (89). The hub portion defines annular seal chambers (101 and 103) which include O-ring seals (105 and 107) respectively. Disposed upstream of the upstream O-ring, the hub portion defines an annular leakage groove (113) and an axial passage (115), communicating from the leakage groove to a downstream chamber (109) adjacent the coupling. High pressure in an upstream chamber (111), which would act against the upstream O-ring, is relieved by the leakage groove and axial passage, and the resulting flow of automatic transmission fluid through the hub portion also serves to cool the viscous coupling.

Growing community of inventors

Marshall, MI, United States of America

Charles A Mains