Schaeffler Technologies Ag & Co .Kg

Scott Strong

Todd Sturgin

Philip George

Brian C Zaugg

Victor Norwich

Vural Ari

Chris Luipold

Drew Hilty

Nigel Gurney

Michael C Davis

Kevin L Parks

Shane Hague

Christopher Krause

Shivakala Gargeyi Baipa

A torque converter including a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell; a first clutch axially displaceable to engage the cover; a second clutch axially displaceable to engage the impeller shell; and, a vibration damper including: a first input component non-rotatably connected to a component of the first clutch; a second input component non-rotatably connected to a component of the second clutch; and, an output flange arranged to non-rotatably connect to an input shaft for a transmission. For a first lock-up mode, the first and second clutches are arranged to close to transmit torque from the cover to the first and second input components, respectively.

Torque converter having controllable dual clutches

A hydrodynamic side plate for a stator in a torque converter includes a first radial surface, a second radial surface opposite the first radial surface, a first axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite an inner race of a stator assembly, a second axial restriction surface on the first radial surface opposite locking components of the stator assembly, and a plurality of hydrodynamic pads in the second radial surface separated by a plurality of corresponding radial grooves. The first axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the inner race of the stator assembly. The second axial restriction surface is configured to restrict axial movement of the locking components of the stator assembly. The second radial surface comprises at least two anti-rotation tabs configured to prevent relative motion with the stator assembly.

Hydrodynamic side plate for torque converter stator

A coil spring assembly, including: a coil spring with a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; a first end cap fixedly connected to the first longitudinal end with a first adhesive; and a second end cap fixedly connected to the second longitudinal end with a second adhesive. A method of fabricating a coil spring assembly, including: fixedly connecting, with a first adhesive, a first end cap to a first longitudinal end of a coil spring; and fixedly connecting, with a second adhesive, a second end cap to a second longitudinal end of the coil spring.

Spring assembly with adhered end caps, damper having spring assemblies with adhered end caps, and method of fabricating a spring assembly with adhered end caps

A piston assembly for a torque converter is provided. The piston assembly includes a seal assembly including an inner ring configured for fixing to an outer circumferential surface of a transmission input shaft. The seal assembly also includes an outer ring on an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring. The piston assembly also includes a lock-up clutch piston including a radially inner end engaging the seal assembly. A method of forming a piston assembly for a torque converter is also provided. The method includes providing an outer ring on an outer circumferential surface of an inner ring to form a seal assembly configured for fixing to an outer circumferential surface of a transmission input shaft and connecting the seal assembly to a radially inner end of a lock-up clutch piston.

Torque converter piston assembly including transmission input shaft seal assembly

A piston assembly for a transmission includes a piston housing and a release spring. The piston housing has a bore including a first radial wall and a circumferential wall. The release spring has a first radially outwardly extending finger portion, a second radially outwardly extending finger portion, and a conical portion. The first finger portion is for pressing engagement with the first radial wall and the second finger portion is for pressing engagement with the circumferential wall. The conical portion is disposed radially inward of the first and second finger portions. In an example embodiment, the piston housing includes a second radial wall for pressing against a clutch pack for the transmission. In some example embodiments, the piston assembly includes a seal plate, fixed to the piston housing and arranged to retain at least one piston seal.

Transmission piston with retained release spring

A damper for a torque converter includes a first clutch arranged for selective engagement with a cover for the torque converter, a first spring, a second spring, and a first plate drivingly engaged with the first spring and the second spring. The damper also includes a second plate and a third plate. The second plate is axially displaceable relative to the first plate, drivingly engaged with one of the first or the second spring, and arranged for fixing to a turbine for the torque converter. The third plate is axially displaceable relative to the first and second plates, fixed to the first clutch, and drivingly engaged with the one of the first or second spring.

Torque converter damper with dual input

A bi-directional wedge clutch, including: an outer race; first and second inner hubs; a wedge plate, radially located between the outer race and the inner hubs; and an axially displaceable activation hub engaged with the inner hubs and arranged to: for a free-wheel mode, rotate at least one of the inner hubs in a first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, such that the wedge plate is free of contact with the outer race; and for a locking mode, rotate the at least one of the inner hubs in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, to non-rotatably connect the wedge plate with the outer race and the inner hubs.

Wedge clutch with a split hub

A friction plate for a clutch is provided. The friction plate includes a first core plate including at least one first radial extension, a second core plate including at least one second radial extension and friction material held axially between the at least one first radial extension and the at least one second radial extension. The at least one first radial extension and the at least one second radial extension are imbedded axially into opposite sides of the friction material and joined together. A method of forming a friction plate for a clutch is also provided.

Friction plate including connected core plates

A switchable clutch, including: a first clutch including a first outer race with first and second race plates; a second clutch including a second outer race with third and fourth race plates; an inner hub; and a selector system axially disposed between the first and second clutches, in contact with the first and second outer races, and including a selector plate. For a first operational mode, the selector plate rotates to a first circumferential position to non-rotatably connect the first outer race and the inner hub. For a second operational mode, the selector plate rotates to a second circumferential position to non-rotatably connect the second outer race and the inner hub. For a third operational mode: the selector plate rotates to a third circumferential position and the inner hub is rotatable with respect to the first and second outer races. The first and third plates are axially displaceable.

Switchable bi-directional wedge clutch

A drive connection for fixing a torque converter to an engine crankshaft includes a crankshaft, a torque converter, and a threaded fastener. The crankshaft includes an end face, a rotational axis, and a threaded hole aligned with the axis. The torque converter includes a rotational axis and a cover having an aperture aligned with the axis. The threaded fastener extends through the aperture and is engaged with the threaded hole to secure the cover to the end face. In an example embodiment, the drive connection includes a sealing element disposed between the fastener and the cover. The sealing element may be a washer or an o-ring.

Torque converter drive connection

A clutch assembly for a transmission, including: first and second clutches; and an actuation assembly including an actuator for engaging the first and second clutches. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to a planet carrier for a planetary gear set for the transmission so that the planet carrier and a first portion of the first clutch rotate in unison. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to an output shaft for the transmission so that a second portion of the first clutch and the output shaft rotate in unison. The second clutch is arranged to be connected to a ring gear for the planetary gear set so that the ring gear and a portion of the second clutch rotate in unison.

Growing community of inventors

Wooster, OH, United States of America

Scott Strong