Schaeffler Technologies Ag & Co .kg

Joshua David Cerreta

Brian C Zaugg

Markus Steinberger

Patrick Lindemann

Matthew Payne

John Carrier

Victor Norwich

Alfredo Jimenez Perez Mitre

Frank Wolf

A washer assembly and a hydrodynamic torque converter comprising the washer assembly is provided. The washer assembly comprises a washer and a plate; the washer is annular and comprises a washer body and two or more positioning clamps protruding radially inward from an inner periphery of the washer body, at least one side of the positioning clamp in a circumferential direction having a positioning protrusion protruding; the plate is annular, an inner periphery portion of the plate being provided with two or more positioning notches; an edge of at least one side of the positioning notch in the circumferential direction being provided with a positioning groove; and the washer is mounted to one end face of the plate. The washer assembly saves the internal space of the torque converter and saves the material cost of the washer.

Washer assembly and hydrodynamic torque converter

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 damper assembly for a torque converter is provided. The damper assembly includes a first cover plate including a spring retainer at a radial outer end of the first cover plate supporting springs; and a second cover plate including, at a radial outer end thereof, tabs for the springs, the tabs being in circumferential spaces between the springs The spring retainer and the tabs are fixed together inside the spring retainer. A method of forming a damper assembly is also provided. The method includes fixing a spring retainer at a radial outer end of a first cover plate to tabs at a radially outer end of a second cover plate inside the spring retainer. The tabs are in circumferential spaces between springs retained by the spring retainer.

Damper assembly including cover plates fixed together between springs

A torsional vibration damper, including: an axis of rotation; a drive plate; an output flange; and a spring retainer plate including a first side facing in a first axial direction, a second side facing in a second axial direction, and a plurality of spring stops formed of a same material forming the spring retainer plate. Each spring stop: extends from the first side at least partially in the first axial direction; and includes first and second circumferentially separated end surfaces separated, in the first axial direction, from the first side by first and second gaps, and a plurality of springs. Each spring includes a first circumferential end engaged with a respective first end surface and a second circumferential end engaged with a respective second end surface. The spring retainer plate partially surrounds the plurality of springs and retains the plurality of springs in a radially outward direction.

Spring retainer plate with lanced spring stops

A seal retention plate for a torque converter, the plate comprising: an annular body portion having a first surface; a second surface opposite the first surface; an interior portion having at least one first hole; at least one radially outer tab extending from the interior portion and folded to contact the second surface so as to provide a thrust surface; and a center opening.

Growing community of inventors

Copley, OH, United States of America

Joshua David Cerreta