Schaeffler Technologies Ag & Co .Kg

Allison Transmission, Inc.

John Carrier

Brian C Zaugg

Patrick Lindemann

Markus Steinberger

Matthew Payne

Rashid Farahati

Jeremy Vanni

Joshua David Cerreta

Wilbert Greathouse

Richard Bednar

Jerry Munk

Bruce E Fox

Michael G Swank

Nathan Yensho

A torque converter including an axis of rotation and a flange rotatable about the axis of rotation is disclosed. The torque converter includes a turbine shell independently rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the flange. A first plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be fixed to the turbine shell. A second plate, disposed between the flange and the turbine shell, may be radially outward relative to the first plate. The torque converter further includes a cover having an inner surface and a third plate disposed between the flange and the cover. The first plate may include at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, wherein the ramp is rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.

Clutch engagement ramps for torque converter

A torque converter comprising: first and second cover plates arranged to receive torque; a flange; a turbine shell independently rotatable relative to the flange; at least one resilient element, at least partially disposed axially between the first and second cover plates, for transmitting a torque force between the flange and the first and second cover plates; a first axial gap, disposed between the flange and the first cover plate, having a first width; a second axial gap, disposed between the flange and the second cover plate, having a second width; one of the first cover plate or the second cover plate having at least one ramp protruding in an axial direction toward the flange, the ramp rotatably engageable with the flange for urging the flange axially in a direction toward the cover, and for transmitting an axial force for urging a clutch to engage.

A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque in a first circumferential direction for a drive mode; an impeller non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller; a torque converter clutch including a piston; and a vibration damper including a cover plate connected to the torque converter clutch, an output flange and at least one spring engaged with the cover plate and the output flange. For a coast mode: the cover plate is arranged to rotate in a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction; the cover plate is arranged to displace the output flange in an axial direction; and the output flange is arranged to displace the piston in the axial direction.

Torque converter with coast lockup

A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode: the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell.

Bearing-less torque converter

A torque converter assembly comprises: a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover; a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch; and, a sealing plate comprising a substantially radial wall arranged between the cover and the piston plate and disposed radially inward of the annular surface, wherein: in a lockup mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate blocks fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate; and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the sealing plate is deflectable to enable a fluid flow between the cover and the piston plate via a pathway between the cover and the sealing plate.

Torque converter with deflectable seal

A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump fixedly secured to the cover; an axially displaceable turbine hydraulically coupled to the pump; and an axially displaceable stator at least partially disposed between the pump and the turbine and including a friction clutch with a plurality of clutch plates and respective friction material disposed between the plurality of clutch plates. When the ratio of the rotational speed of the turbine with respect to the rotational speed of the pump is less than a coupling point value, the turbine or the stator is arranged to axially displace to close the friction clutch. When the ratio of the rotational speed of the turbine with respect to the rotational speed of the pump is at least equal to the coupling point value: the stator or the turbine is arranged to axially displace to open the friction clutch; or the stator is arranged to axially displace to close the friction clutch.

Thrust activated friction one-way clutch

A torque converter assembly includes a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover, a piston plate including an annular surface for engaging a clutch, and a first seal disposed radially inward of the annular surface. In a lockup mode for the torque converter, the first seal blocks fluid flow through an orifice in the piston plate or between the cover and the piston plate and, in a release mode for the torque converter, the first seal is deflectable to enable a fluid flow through the orifice or between the cover and the piston plate and around the first seal. In an example embodiment, the torque converter assembly includes an apply chamber, the piston plate is displaceable in response to fluid pressure in the apply chamber, and the first seal is arranged to be deflected by the fluid pressure in the apply chamber.

A torque converter having three sealed chambers in which a piston for engaging and disengaging a lock-up clutch is attached to the torque converter using a plurality of leaf springs. The assembly includes a plurality of access or pass-through holes for effecting the attachment of the leaf spring to the cover using rivets. Also included is plurality of plugs to seal the pass-through holes. A method of using the plugs to prevent uncontrolled leakage from one sealed chamber to another.

Growing community of inventors

Westfield, OH, United States of America

John Carrier