The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 24, 1985
Filed:
Oct. 25, 1983
Takashi Murasugi, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshiro Morimoto, Yokosuka, JP;
Masaaki Suga, Yokohama, JP;
Yasuhiro Niikura, Yokosuka, JP;
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama, JP;
Abstract
A torque converter having an engine-driven pump impeller fastened to an input shell and a fluid-driven turbine runner mounted on an output shaft is equipped with a fluid-operated lockup clutch for providing a direct mechanical drive between the input shell and the output shell. The lockup clutch is maintained in a slipping engagement condition in an intermediate speed range. This slipping engagement is controlled by a variable fluid passage whose opening size is determined by an axial position of the turbine runner relative to the output shaft. The turbine runner is rotatable and axially movable relative to the output shaft. The turbine runner and the output shaft have, respectively, flanges which rotates side by side. There are formed, between the flanges, a plurality of pockets which are circumferentially arranged. Each pocket has contoured surfaces, and confines a ball. Each set of the ball and pocket is so formed as to control the opening size of the variable fluid passage by causing the turbine runner to move axially when the turbine runner rotate relative to the output shaft.